On March 1, 2024, the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine will start receiving documents from candidates for 25 vacant positions of judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). This procedure launches the competition for 15 positions of judges of the HACC (first instance) and 10 positions of judges of the Chamber of Appeal of the HACC. The competition will be open to judges, lawyers, academics, and people with a cumulative record of service. This was announced during a press conference by members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine Oleh Koliush, Oleksii Omelyan and Vitalii Gatseliuk.
Member of the Commission Oleh Koliush emphasized the importance of the competition, given the realities and international obligations of Ukraine. He recalled that the High Anti-Corruption Court was established through the concerted efforts of Ukrainian civil society with the support of international partners in response to public demand to hold officials and judges accountable for corruption offenses and to combat corruption. The HACC began administering justice on September 5, 2019, and has demonstrated significant results in its work over the past four years. During this time, judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court have considered 308 criminal proceedings; 41,771 motions, complaints, and applications at the pre-trial investigation stage; and a number of civil and administrative cases.
Oleh Koliush emphasized that the competition, which starts today, is intended to reduce the workload of HACC judges by increasing their number and, as a result, to increase the efficiency of the court’s work in order to ensure the right to a fair trial and to conduct court proceedings within a reasonable time.
It is necessary to note the peculiarity of the selection of judges to the HACC, namely the participation and substantial assistance in the competition of foreign experts, recognized and well-known specialists in the field of preventing and combating corruption at the international level. Public Council of International Experts (PCIE) is involved in assisting the Commission in determining whether candidates for HACC judges meet the criteria of professional ethics and integrity. During the previous competition, the Commission and the PCIE worked together to form an effective court.
“The composition of the PCIE consists of six members appointed by the HQCJU on the basis of proposals from international organizations with which Ukraine cooperates in the field of preventing and combating corruption in accordance with international treaties. PCIE members check whether the lifestyle and property acquired by candidates and their family members correspond to the declared income, whether they comply with the requirements of anti-corruption legislation, and whether they have the knowledge and practical skills to consider cases,” said Oleh Koliush.
The Commission member also noted that the competition to the High Anti-Corruption Court is held for the second time in Ukraine. The first one lasted from August 2, 2018, to April 11, 2019. Back then, the competition to the HACC was announced for 39 positions, including 12 positions of judges of the Chamber of Appeal of the court.
A member of the Commission Oleksii Omelyan elaborated on the procedure and form of submitting documents. He also drew attention to the most common mistakes made when submitting documents.
“The deadline for submission of documents for participation in the competition is from March 1, 2024, to March 15, 2024, (including). The Commission has determined that the form of submitting documents is electronic, and they can be submitted on the official website of the HQCJ. Often, candidates fail to submit the entire package of documents to participate in the competition. There are cases when a person does not meet the requirements for a candidate (for example, lack of relevant work experience),” emphasized Oleksii Omelyan.
The Commission will check the candidates’ compliance with the requirements for a HACC judge and then decide on their admission to the next stage of the competition. The candidates will then pass a qualification evaluation. It is also planned to conduct candidate’s personal moral and psychological qualification test.
“We expect candidates who not only meet the legal requirements for a HACC judge, but also understand the critical importance of effective counteraction to criminal and corruption offenses and are ready to take responsibility for lawful and fair decisions,” said Vitalii Gatseliuk, a member of the Commission.
